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Australia's decisive action to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing group of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to pass a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," said one European lawmaker behind the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive research".

Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are safe and suitable for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, action is primarily occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some individuals to mimic Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of these regions, further countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations take a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that governments around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.